Mayesville celebration features walkathon

By GINA VASSELLI
Item Staff Writer
gvasselli@theitem.com

For the first time, the town of Mayesville's annual celebration of the life of its most famous resident, Mary McLeod Bethune, will feature a walkathon.

Mayor Jereleen Hollimon-Miller said the walkathon complements this year's theme.

"We're highlighting another of Dr. Bethune's legacies: health and fitness," Hollimon-Miller said.

The walkathon will take place on Friday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at the Dr. Bethune Nature Trail, and the proceeds will go to fund scholarships for local students.

The mile-and-a-half-long nature trail was officially opened at last year's celebration.

Going along with the theme, the grand marshal of the Saturday parade is Bryan Kost, the legislative director of the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Kost will also be in the walkathon.

Hollimon-Miller said health was one of Bethune's many passions.

Bethune founded Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla., and was an adviser to four presidents, but she also founded a hospital in 1911 because black children could not be admitted to the local whites-only hospital. The hospital closed in 1931.

Continuing with the theme, Hollimon-Miller said the committee is working to put on a boxing exhibition after the parade on Saturday, with former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith as referee. Hollimon-Miller said those plans are not finalized.

Also in attendance will be former NBA player Xavier "X-Man" McDaniel.

The celebration will begin with the walkathon on Friday, and local musician Jake McLeod will perform afterward.

Saturday's festivities will begin with the parade at 10 a.m. and continue all day in the town square with a dunking booth, vendors and games.

On Sunday, there will be a free outdoor gospel concert from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring Melvin Couch of Atlanta, the Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires and William Nelson of the Travelling Four.



If you are a vendor interested in being a part of the celebration, contact Major McCombs at (803) 666-1088 or (803) 972-0373; Al Wheeler at (803) 565-7082; or Pat Jackson at (803) 453-5096.

If you are interested in participating in the walkathon, contact Barbara Benjamin at (803) 453-5405.

The town is accepting donations for the scholarships or to help offset the cost of putting on the celebration.



Donations can be made to:

Town of Mayesville Bethune Festival

P.O. Box 458

Mayesville, SC 29104